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Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide

This guide was created as an overview of the Linux Operating System, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter.
For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. This book contains many real life examples derived from the author's experience as a Linux system and network administrator, trainer and consultant. They hope these examples will help you to get a better understanding of the Linux system and that you feel encouraged to try out things on your own.

I don't know if you are still looking for an answer, but this has been a real pain.
1. This is still an issue with Deb Lenny
2. HAL fdi/policy settings have been useless
3. The only solution I have found is using /etc/X11/xorg.conf as follows:

Key issue: place this section as the 1st mouse entry ahead of any other mouse sections in your xorg.conf file

Key issue: having the correct identifier, Synaptics Touchpad or as in my case AlpsPS/2

Key issue: the CorePointer option is necessary

With this in place and X11 restarted by rebooting or CTRL-ALT-BKSP, you should now find SHMConfig is recognized as enabled and shared memory is enabled for whatever touchpad utility you wish to use.

In my case I use a simple shell script I got somewhere (thanks!) to turn off my pad when I have my USB mouse attached...

#!/bin/bash
# script to turn off touchpad if mouse present at login
# synclient is the synaptic utility to manage the touchpad
# grep the "lsusb" output and do a wordcount on number of lines with "Logitech" which should = 1 if a Logitech mouse is present
#
# Obviously the "Logitech" should be replaced with your brand of mouse, and perhaps be more exact in case you have other USB devices that have similar names
/usr/bin/synclient touchpadoff=`lsusb | grep Logitech | wc -l`

This works very nicely for me running from my bashrc or just manually.

Key issue: place this section as the 1st mouse entry ahead of any other mouse sections in your xorg.conf file

Key issue: having the correct identifier, Synaptics Touchpad or as in my case AlpsPS/2

Key issue: the CorePointer option is necessary

Just had the same problem after installing Lenny on an Acer Extensa 5510, and this (with the "Synaptics Touchpad" identifier) has fixed it. In my case I still had the default mouse section in xorg.conf - commenting it out did the trick.

Thanks!

Last edited by fenwar; 02-17-2010 at 07:45 PM.
Reason: added more detail